30 Jul 2017

Russia lift Moscow title after Swiss thriller

A third win from three ensured Russia the hosts silverware while Turkey topped Division B.

Russia successfully defended their Euro Beach Soccer League Moscow title on Sunday as they prevailed 7-4 against Switzerland in a gripping finale.

With Belarus piling on the pressure with a victory against Greece earlier in the day, it was Russia who ultimately came out on top despite a Dejan Stankovic hat-trick making life difficult for the hosts.

As it was, a treble from Aleksey Makarov proved crucial for Russia who sealed the win with the help of two late goals form Dmitrii Shishin and Yury Krashenninikov.

Amid a frenetic pace in the early stages, both sides created chances prior to Anton Shkarin’s powerful opener five minutes before the break. Makarov’s low bobbling drive then beat Marco Allenbach to double the advantage and raise the volume further in the Russian capital.

After Stankovic scored to halve the deficit, Russia hit back immediately as Makarov found the bottom corner with a low drive straight from the restart. Stankovic would have the final say in a goal-packed first period when he grabbed another four seconds from time and the forward almost had his hat-trick early in the middle period only for his strike to hit the post.

He would get on target again however - this time from the spot - to bring Switzerland back level, that is until Viktor Kryshanov nodded in a throw at the far post. Moritz Jaeggy hammered in a penalty to restore parity once more but Makarov again provided an immediate response.

Switzerland opted to put forward Noel Ott in goal to ask further questions of Russia but one of his first tasks was to pick the ball out of his own net after Shishin finished from close range.

Krash then dispossed Sandro Spaccarotella and calmly finished past Ott to make it 7-4 with just over a minute to play as Russia sent their fans home happy for the second year running.

Belarus had earlier bolstered their hopes of winning the Moscow stageas they beat a plucky Greece side 3-2.

While the Greeks had shipped 17 goals in their first two outings, Stefanos Soilemes’ side were much improved on day three and made Belarus work hard for a win that was ultimately ensured by a brace from tournament top scorer Ihar Bryshtsel

An error from goalkeeper Aristeidis Thomas allowed Ihar Bryshtsel to nip and tap home the opener, with his strike all that separated the sides at the break as Greece turned in arguably their best 12 minutes of the competition so far.

However, Belarus continued to pose a threat and Ivan Kanstantsinau was the man to double the advantage midway through the second frame.

Greece continued to remain relatively stable at the back and eventually got their reward when Georgios Vidalis prodded in his country’s second goal of the competition to deservedly get them on the board in the game. Bryshtsel’s second - a sidefoot finish from close range - took the wind out of Greek sails somewhat although Thomas managed to atone for his error by registering late on to set up a frantic finale.

Thomas tested his opposite number Valery Makarevich once more before the final whistle but the Belarus goalkeeper was up to the task as Nico Alvarado's men signed off with a victory.

Turkey finished top of Division B in the Russian capital after beating Moldova 3-1.

In what was a winner-takes-all clash between the two nations it was Turkey who prevailed as Baris Terzioglu, Seyit Ahmet Suer and Cem Keskin guaranteed the win and booked the Turks their place at September’s Promotion Final.

Captain Andrei Negara sent an overhead kick wide inside the opening minute for Moldova but the opening stages were largely short on clearcut chances.

The breakthrough came for Turkey three minutes before the break when Baris found the far corner in acrobatic fashion as his impressive campaign in Moscow continued.

Mehmet Aslamaci then kept out a penalty from Negara following a Turkish handball before Moldova applied plenty of pressure following the restart.

Sergio Nicolaiciuc managed to head over from close range before Turkey, having ridden their luck at times, managed to double their lead through S. Ahmet’s penalty inside the final minute of the frame.

Baris almost made it 3-0 when he rattled the post shortly after the second break but next blood would go to Moldova when Victor Iordachi tapped into an empty net to give his side hope.

With the game open once again, Baris went close when he rolled an effort wide before Cem Keskin added Turkey’s third from close range to tie up the points.